Are these spare tires actually better than the rest?

[Ang]

Most spare tires are like this

The tread is very curved and it looks like road contact would be poor. The tread is very thin and flat. But there's 2 brands now making these spare tires that have a flat tread pattern similar to full size tires

Are these tires actually better, or does this design not make any real difference?

 

[CapriRacer]

You didn't identify the tires (make/model) and that's important. There is a difference between the way tires look if they are bias vs radial. Plus differences in size (high aspect ratio vs low aspect ratio) can make a difference in the way it looks.

Besides, we are talking TEMPORARY spares. They only need to go 50 miles. So in my opinion, it doesn't make any difference how it looks - only that it gets the owner the 50 miles it advertises.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

I have to wonder if a reason why most of them are so rounded along the contact surface is because with the tire being so narrow, it won't be able to support load the way a normal sized tire can. So it's going to roll over a lot while cornering, and maybe a more square profile just sees the tread fold under itself during cornering.

What are the two brands that make the square style? In your example photo of the traditional style I see that one is a Falken. I would trust established brands like that much more than something random and unknown.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Not to mention MANY/MOST spares are underinflated or flat when people go to use them. Besides many here at BITOG how many people do you know that actually check them?

I can tell you that in my small sample size of friends, kids friends, neighbors at best 10% check them or their regular tires even until TPMS light turns on.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

It doesn't matter much

Some sports cars have unique donuts with a very aggressive tread pattern and other features to keep some of the performance for the time the donut is on

But you're better off just replacing with a full-size spare anyway. A cheap takeoff wheel from the junkyard and a cheap tire from Walmart

Yeah you're only supposed to use a donut for 50 miles, but we know most people use them much longer than that

 

[Ang]

You didn't identify the tires (make/model) and that's important. There is a difference between the way tires look if they are bias vs radial. Plus differences in size (high aspect ratio vs low aspect ratio) can make a difference in the way it looks.

Besides, we are talking TEMPORARY spares. They only need to go 50 miles. So in my opinion, it doesn't make any difference how it looks - only that it gets the owner the 50 miles it advertises.

Kenda Vs Kumho for this example, but theres multiple brands on each design. They don't really have model names. the Kumho (Looks more like a regular tire) im sure is Radial, I don't know if the other one is Bias Ply or not.

Either way Yes it has limits as its a temporary spare, but thats not relevant to my questions and wanting to know which one is superior. They cost the same, I Want the superior one.

 

[Ang]

I have to wonder if a reason why most of them are so rounded along the contact surface is because with the tire being so narrow, it won't be able to support load the way a normal sized tire can. So it's going to roll over a lot while cornering, and maybe a more square profile just sees the tread fold under itself during cornering.

What are the two brands that make the square style? In your example photo of the traditional style I see that one is a Falken. I would trust established brands like that much more than something random and unknown.

That one is Kumho, Not Falken. None of them are no name brands.

 

[Ang]

It doesn't matter much

Some sports cars have unique donuts with a very aggressive tread pattern and other features to keep some of the performance for the time the donut is on

But you're better off just replacing with a full-size spare anyway. A cheap takeoff wheel from the junkyard and a cheap tire from Walmart

Yeah you're only supposed to use a donut for 50 miles, but we know most people use them much longer than that

Not sure where you expect people to fit a full size spare, not all cars can fit a full size spare over the donut, And that issue is not relevant to me wanting to know if the More standard looking Kumho is actually superior or not

 

[Vercingetorix]

Excellent opportunity to do a test and tell the world which one is superior. Earn some YouTube clicks.

 

[Ang]

Excellent opportunity to do a test and tell the world which one is superior. Earn some YouTube clicks.

Would need 4 for that

 

[cheesepuffs2]

That one is Kumho, Not Falken. None of them are no name brands.

When I said traditional, I meant "traditional for a donut". The one with the rounded profile that is typical for a temp spare is a Falken, is what I meant.

 

[Ranger83]

Outbacks come with a donut. But the Subaru spec for rolling diameter is really tight so you have to use it on the rear, short time only.

Thankfully, the bay will fit a full size spare though you lose a lot of storage space.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Not sure where you expect people to fit a full size spare, not all cars can fit a full size spare over the donut, And that issue is not relevant to me wanting to know if the More standard looking Kumho is actually superior or not

Yeah, it sucks when there's no room for a full-size spare anymore

Radial will be superior to bias ply. For some reason, they still make bias ply donuts, and when used, it would be on the same axle as (radial) regular tires

Would need 4 for that

Have you seen this video?

You didn't identify the tires (make/model) and that's important. There is a difference between the way tires look if they are bias vs radial. Plus differences in size (high aspect ratio vs low aspect ratio) can make a difference in the way it looks.

Besides, we are talking TEMPORARY spares. They only need to go 50 miles. So in my opinion, it doesn't make any difference how it looks - only that it gets the owner the 50 miles it advertises.

Strangely, the Kumho T121 is available in both bias and radial sizes (partial list on Tire Rack). The one pictured in both the OP on this thread and on TR's stock image both show a bias size (letter D in the size) and have a flat tread profile.

The Falken seems to be an FK-090, which is exclusively bias.